C13-C14 Isoparaffin ●
TL;DR. This ingredient functions mainly as a lightweight emollient and solvent, adding slip while helping dissolve or disperse oil-soluble components in formulas.
What does C13-C14 Isoparaffin do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient functions mainly as a lightweight emollient and solvent, adding slip while helping dissolve or disperse oil-soluble components in formulas.
Is C13-C14 Isoparaffin clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is often restricted or disfavored because of its petrochemical origin and the need for tight refinement controls. Highly refined cosmetic grades are generally low-odor and well tolerated on skin, but its clean-standard standing is compromised.
Is C13-C14 Isoparaffin sustainable?
This material is derived from fossil feedstocks, so it has weak renewable-carbon alignment. Its biodegradation can be slower and more variable than many plant-derived esters or alcohols, making it a less favored choice in sustainability-led formulas.
Is C13-C14 Isoparaffin COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is a petrochemical-derived saturated carbon material rather than an approved natural-origin input. From a Green Chemistry lens, the main drawbacks are nonrenewable sourcing and only moderate end-of-life alignment.
How does C13-C14 Isoparaffin work chemically?
The molecule is a mixture of branched, saturated C13 to C14 carbon chains, which gives it low polarity, water insolubility, and strong compatibility with oils, waxes, and many lipophilic actives. It is typically stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges because it has no hydrolysable functional groups, and it is often used where a light, dry skin feel and solvent capacity are needed.
Last updated 2026-09-28